By Frank Puranik Supernova 555

Reproduced from Supernova Issue No.5 Summer 1998

I get asked quite a lot, especially by newcomers what hole to put the shroud plates on, etc.. The simple answer is I can't tell you unless I know where the mast is, the length of your shrouds and so on.

So firstly let me say that I don't proclaim to be an expert on the subject of Supernova setup. What I have done is spent some time with my two boats tuning them up against each other and taking measurements from the class leaders and others. I hope this will help you.

By the way you'll need a tape measure capable of reaching from the top of the mast to the transom for this.

Firstly the mast settings:

** The mast may be too upright and you may want your foot a bit further forward.

On spreader settings I only have my own boats to go on. They are both the same.

So how do we measure:

(1) Mast foot. With the mast in its usual place on the step, upright, shrouds and forestay attached-measured from the rear of the foot of the mast to the centre of the curve on the transom i.e. just before the upper rudder fitting. Keep the tape measure straight.

(2) Mast rake. Mast set up as in 1 with low/ moderate rig tensions applied (perhaps 65kg-no 470 type tension on this boat). Attach a tape measure to the main halyard and hoist it all the way to the top. If you have a stopper bobble on the end of your halyard make allowances for the lower distance you will measure. Now measure to the same point on the transom as for 1, i.e. the centre of the curve just before the rudder fitting. Pull the tape tight, especially when windy. This effectively measures the long side of the triangle formed by the hull and the mast. Notethat this is no necessarily (or even usually) a right angled triangle.

(3) Spreader length. Measured from the shroud wire along the spreader to the mast wall.

(4) Shroud wire to shroud wire. Measure the distance from one wire to the other wire where they go through the spreaders. The spreaders can move slightly back and forth-make sure you measure the shortest distance.

(5) Speader rake. Tie the two shroud wires together just above the spreaders with some string or twine. Now measure the perpendicular distance from this string to the rear of the mast (don't go inside the track).

Measurements are to the nearesr 1/2-1cm.

I think Gavin has modified hs settings this year, but he certainly wasn't off the pace last year. Richard was second at the Nationals. My settings are exactly the same as the ones written down, and Mark is constanly experimenting, so I can't comment on the latest.

Try to bear in mind your weight and conditions when choosing settings. More wind generally means more rake, but don't overdo it or you will have too much weather helm. These settings are taken from a medium wind configuration.